Haunted Hollywood Homes
Ghosts of Movie Stars Who Refuse to Leave Their Los Angeles Mansions
Jul 12, 2008
Some Hollywood stars die of unnatural causes and others live to an old age and die peacefully. Although their legacies live on in movies and pictures, their ghosts are still seen in Hollywood.
Rudolph Valentino
Rudolph died suddenly at the age of 31 in 1924. He was the heartthrob of many women. His spirit has been sighted at some of his other former residences such as Valentino Place, his beach house in Oxnard and at the Santa Maria Inn.
His last residence in Beverly Hills, known as Falcon’s Lair, is claimed to be haunted by Rudolph. Previous owners have seen his ghost in the bedroom and an overnight guest claimed to have been chased by the ghost Rudolph Valentino. A caretaker saw Rudolph in the stables with the horses. Passers by have seen Valentino peering out of windows. Other people have heard footsteps in the hallway and heard doors open and shut for no reason.
Thelma Todd
In addition to being an actress, Thelma owned the Roadside Café on the Pacific Coast Highway. In 1935, she was found dead in her car which was parked in a garage above the café. Although her death was determined to be accidental suicide, there is reason to believe she was murdered.
The café is still in operation today and employees have seen an apparition of Thelma walking or floating down the staircase to a courtyard. At times, people have detected the smell of car exhaust fumes and the sound of the engine of a vintage car in the garage where she died.
Harry Houdini
One of the most famous escape artists and magicians, Houdini died in Detroit of a ruptured appendix on Halloween at the age of 52. He also starred in a few silent films but they were not very successful. His final residence was a castle-like mansion on Laurel Canyon Boulevard.
In 1959, a brush fire burned down the Houdini Mansion and it was never rebuilt. Since the fire, the ghost of Houdini has been seen on the property. Many people visit the site on Halloween and have claimed to see a dark figure wandering around the stairs or in the garden.
Jean Harlow
Jean was known as the “blond bombshell” and was very popular at the box office. She and her husband Paul Bern, who was a movie director, lived in Benedict Canyon. In 1932, just two months after marrying Jean, Paul committed suicide and his body was found in their home. Five years later, Jean died suddenly of kidney failure.
The ghosts of Jean Harlow and Paul Bern have been seen in the bedroom. The house is supposedly cursed because two people have drowned in the pool and another previous owner was killed.
Clifton Webb
Clifton was best known as Mr. Belvedere in a series of movies as well as starring in the original Cheaper by the Dozen and Laura. He was a bachelor and lived with his mother on Rexford Drive in Beverly Hills. He died at age 76 of heart disease.
His ghost has been seen at his former house in the library and cigarette ashes have been found in the house in unusual places. Clifton owned a special chair that he never allowed women to sit on. He gave the chair to a friend and now when a woman sits in the chair, it bounces and makes noises.
Ozzie Nelson
Ozzie starred with his family in the popular TV series The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet. He was diagnosed with liver cancer and died shortly thereafter. They lived on Camino Palmero in Hollywood and it is said their house resembled the one used on the TV program.
The ghost of Ozzie Nelson has been seen at his former home and appears to be in a solemn and sad mood which is contrary to his cheerful and easy-going nature.
George Reeves
George starred as Superman in the famous TV series. He died of gunshot wounds at home in 1959 located on Benedict Canyon Drive. His death was officially declared as suicide but there is speculation of murder.
His ghost has been seen in the bedroom where he died and he is dressed up in his Superman costume. There have been gunshots heard in the house and lights going off and on for no apparent reason. There have been noises heard in the bedroom and the room ransacked when nobody has been there. Neighbors have seen the spirit of George Reeves standing on the front lawn.
As long as the ghosts of celebrities haunt their homes, their legends will live on forever!
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